Abstract

A design task usually begins with a phase where requirements and objectives are defined. Then, it continues through a creative and iterative process of generation, evaluation, and modification of design alternatives until the design team is satisfied. The main objective of this paper is to expand the concepts of interactive multi-objective design in the field of architecture design, and demonstrate the contribution of parametric modeling, genetic algorithms, computational simulation and an interactive programming environment in the process of decision making in the preliminary stage of architecture design. In this paper, an interactive GA-based computational method is employed to consider both technical and non-technical requirements in exploring the design solutions of a one-bedroom house unit. The design objectives, in this case, include thermal performance, material cost, and the resident’s lifestyle. Ultimately, it is shown how the interactive approach of the exploration method can help the decision maker with objective trade-offs.